Cutting apparatus



Nav. 15, 1927. 1 1,649,002`

F. swxcKARD CUTTING APPARATUS n Filed March s1. 1926 2 sheets-sheet 1l gwwmtoz @theme14 Nov. 1,5, 1927*.

- f 1,649,002 F. IswlczKARD CUTTING APPARATUS Filed March s1. 1926 sheetsfsheet 2 1 ll will.

mm Wm 4 I gwuent'oz Patented Nov. 15, 1927.

iJNiTEn verras rar jorrics. i

FRANK SWICKARD, or ctnnmna", Iowa, assienoaro TITaNicnoUnLn GUTTER Tausrrfor cLARinna,ioWA,aTnusT or iowa. 1

. CUTTING` APPARATUS.

i applicati@ inea March a1, 192e. seria; Nofea'za?.

type of mowing machine `cutting mechanism Y to onv the bottom.

wherein are ting sickles. s kp v In the usual typeof two-sickle reciprocating cutting mechanisnna specialtype of driving mechanism has to` be providedv to drive the particular kind of a cutting `ap-` paratus. This special construction of a driving device makesit diilicult andusually impossible to use the double or two-sickle apparatus on a machine built Jfor a single cutter mechanism. Further, `while the ad.- vantages ofthe double cutter per `se have been recognized., a great many ofthe struc tures heretofore have been made with either` heavy or duplicate driving mechanisms which mechanisms;` by theiri disadvantages due to increase in weight and friction, more than offset the advantages broughtvabout by the use of the two-sickle cutting` apparatus.

\ The primary object ol'my` invention isthe provision4 of an improved two-sickle4 cuttingapparatus for mowing'machines.

Another object oir' my ,invention is the pro vision of an improved two-sickle reciprocat ingcutting apparatus which will be operable by a single drive meansand-applicable to a single sickle :mowing machine to convert the same to a double sickle mowing machine. i Another.` object of my invention is the provision of a two-sickle reciprocating cutting provided two reciprocating cutapparatus which may be applied to the or#` dinary single cutter machine without'chang-` ing the inner or outer shoes of the sickle bar.

Another and further objectief my invention is the provision of an improvedftwosickle cutting mechanism wherein @one .of

thesickles is driven from. the other sickle by an improved driving mechanism .which may be attached at practically anywplace throughout the length of the sickle length.

" Another and still further object *of myinvent-ion is the provision of an improved two-Y sickle 'cuttlng mechanism` having a drive connectionbetween the two sickles,the upper sickle being-connectedtheretovon the top and the lower sicklebeing connected `there- Another4 andstill further object of my invention is the .provision .of an `operating mechanism for a `twosickle cutting appa,- ratuszwhichzmechanismhas its operating parts located at the rear of the sickle blades.

y machine 4and embodying my invention.

- of Flg. 1;

invention is the provision of animproved.

two-sickle cutting apparatus for, mowing machines and the like wherein two coacting` levers connectedtothe sickles `cause oppo-l site reciprocation offthe sickles. A

Another and still'further object offfmy invention is the provision of an improved two-sickle cutting apparatus for mowing machines and the like'wherein twocoacting levers have their fulcrums on opposite sides ol the connection between the levers. l y Another and still p further `object of `my inventionl is the provision of a twosickle cutting apparatus iter mowing machines and the like wherein the parts are so constructed as to prevent side draft. e f c Other and further objects will be apparent to those skilledin the art from a reading .of

the complete specification and claims.

Referring to the drawing wherein I have illustrated a preferred embodiment.

Fig.` 1 is a plan view of a portion of a cutting mechanism as applied to a mowing Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1 but showing the parts indifferent positions.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. y i

Fig. 4t is a cross section on the line 45-4 Fig. 5 is a fragmental rear View of the sickle operating mechanism when in place. Fig. 6 is a `'fragmental view taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 1. Similar reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

In the drawing 10, designates the ryoke of a mowing machine to-which is pivot-ally connected at 11,` 11 the inner shoe 12 of lthe cutting apparatus. V LSecured to the inner shoe 12is the sickle bar 13.4 The guard iinv gers 14 are secured to the sickle bar 13 by bolts 15 in the usual manner.-

`The `cutting mechanism comprises two complementary superimposed` sickles, the

upper one being designated 16 and the lowerl one being designatedr 17. Each sickle com` prises astrap to which are attached a series of blades which are beveled to provide cutrest upon the top of the sickle bar 13. The guard fingers 14 are of the usual construction having a recess adjacent the forward edge of the sickle bar, to receive the strap ot the lower sickle 17. The upper sickle is superimposed upon the lower sickle, its strap being above its blades.

The upper sickle 1G is provided with a ball 18 to which is connected the socketed pitman 19 which is connected to the driving gearing to operate the cutting apparatus from the ground wheels or other power supply means.

At intervals to sutlieiently hold the upper sickle 16 in its superimposed relation to the lower sickle 17, are guides 2O which are suitably bolted to the sickle bar and while they serve to hold the upper sickle 1G in place, they do not interfere with the lree reciprocation of the same.

In the form of my invention herein illustrated, I have shown my improved connections between the upper and lower sickles as being located at a particular place on the sickle bar. It is to be understood that the structure to be now described may be placed anywhere throughout the length ol the sickle bar where attachment may be made between the usual outer shoe (not shown) and the inner shoe 12.

The connections for driving the lower sickle 17 from the upper sickle 16, comprises a pair of coacting levers having a-connec` t-ion whereby when the frontl end ot one lever moves in one direction, the front end of the other lever travels in the opposite direction thus giving the lower sickle a reciprocating motion, with. but in directions opposite to, the upper sickle 1G as the latter is driven b v the pitman 19.

Connected to the upper sickle 1G is a pivot pin 21 to which is pivotally connected one end of a lever 2Q. The rear end et this lever has a slot which is in registry with a pin 23. which latter forms a tulcrum for the lever to slide on. This pin 23 is mounted on a suitable yoke 'trame Q4 which is secured in place by the bolts which also hold in place the guard fingers 14 already described. A slot 25 is provided in the lever lor the reason that the pin 21, upon which the lever 22 is pivoted, travels in a straight line. rl`l1e lever Q2 is connected at a point intermediate its ends to a pivot 26 which forms a part ot' a yoke lever 27 having a fulcrum pivot Q3 above the sickle bar and another tulcrum pivot Q9 therebelow. The pivot Q8, in the embodiment herein shown, is made as an integral part of a web portion 30 which is in turn an integral part of the yoke 24. The. pivotl 29, in the embodiment herein shown` is made integral with a web portion 3l which is integral with the two adjacent guard fingers 14. The pivots 28 and 29 are coaxial.

The forward end ot' the yoke lever 2T is provided with a bearing 32 upon which is mounted a bearing ring 33. The l'unction of the bearing ring 33 is to press against the lugs or abut-ments 34 which are attached to the underside of the sickle 1T and present flat'. surfaces a distance apart equal to the diameter of the bearing ring During the operation, the pivots 28, `29 and 23 maintain their respective positions, the pivots 21 and 32 always travel in opposite directions, the pivot 32 actually travelling in an arc about the axes ot 28, 9.9 but causing the lower sickle 17 to travel in a straight line. The pivot QG travels in a circular path about the axes 2S, 29 and causes the yoke lever 27 to move.

Since the axes of the pivot 21 and the pivot QG are fixed relative to the lever 2'. and since the movement oli the pivot 21 is confined to a straight line which is described by the movement ot the sickle. the distance between the axes of the pivots 26 and 21 remain the same while the distance between the axis of the pivot 21 and the point of Contact between the slot and the roller 23 increases in each direction as the pivot 2l passes a line drawn through the axis of the roller 23 and 90o to the line of travel ot the cutter. The slot Q5 is provided for the reai' son that the axis of the roller Q3 is fixed in the yoke 24.

If my invention is to be applied to a cutting apparatus of a mowing machine wherein a single cutter has been used. the sickle bar is removed from the inner shoe 12 and several of the guard lingers are removed. To a sickle which is to be the upper sickle in the new construction, is attached the pivot member 21, together with the lever 22, the latter being secured in place on the pivot member and adjacent the upper surface of the upper sickle 1G. rl`he lugs or abutments 34 are attached at the proper place on the lower sickle.

The ball and socket connection and rod 18, 19 are connected to the upper sickle 16 as shown in Fig. 1 but the parts are not yet assembled.

The yoke member 2/1 is slipped with its web member 3() within the yoke lever 27 and the pivot 28 is put in its place. The two guard lingers are placed between the two parts of the yoke lever 27 so that the pivot 29 takes its place. lith the yoke 24, the two guard fingers 14 with the web 31 and Vthe yoke member 24 in their relative positions as just described. the sickle bar is slipped in between the two web portions 30 and 31 until the parts are in their proper places. The bolts 15 are now placed in the openings in the guard fingers, through the sickle bar and the openings in the yoke 24. These bolts are now secured with their respective nuts.

l'lll l The lowerv sickle 17 is no'winsertedlin place so that' the lugs Stwil-lengagejon opposite sides of the bearing ring 33. `The upper sickle bar is now putin place and the lever 22 so placed that its `bearings will' engage the pivot 26 and the slot 25 will engage the pivot 23. The cap screw-35 having a threaded shank 1 is now applied, the shank portion registering with a correspondingly threaded opening in the pivot 23.' Theguides 20 are nowwsecured in place. I" The parts are now ready for operation.

I will now describethe operation ofl my invention `ASL-the pitman` l9'forcestlie upper sickle 16 `outwardly-downwardly`in Fig. 1,--tlie lever 22 will'be swung accordingly about the sliding fulcrum 23!) This causes, by reason ofthe pivot 26, the movement of the yoke lever 27 in a counter clockwise direction as viewed from above (asin Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).

A `This movementof 'the yoke lever 27 causes the forward bearing ring 33 toV move in an opposite direction from that of the pivot 21. A reversal of themovement of the upper cutter causes aiconsequeiit reversal of movement ofthe lower sickle so thatwhenever sickles move, they move in opposite i directions. As already pointed out, ythe axis of 28, y29 is fixed and consequently [the jpivot 26 moves `circumferentially about the saine. The proportions of the distances between pivots kof the' levers 22 vand 27 are such that the pivot con-` nection to the upper sickle-16` willmove in a straight line. In the lembodiment illustrated the movement of theupper sickle is sufiicient to move each blade a sutcient distance to go from substantiallyA the center of one guard finger to substantiallyy the center ofthe next guard linger. The'distances between pivots are so related that the movement of the lower sickle will be substantially equal to the width of a guard linger. With this arrangement, two cutting lines more nearly on the line of travel are producedfthan ispossible with a single movable sickle. This movable action of the cutters also keeps the guard fingers clear of dirt andV small pieces of straw. s

This method of clean cutting independently of the guard fingers prevents side draft so often present in the cutting mechanisms now in use.

sickles'for causing theinto'operate in oppoV site directions, the connectionsfcomprising two `cooperating levers, the-levers being lo-4 cated substantially wholly to the rear of the cutting edges of theV sickle and supported upon the sickle bar. l

Ll. A cutting `mechanism for mowerswand the like, comprising a sickle bai", two superimposed sickles, connections between'the sickles for causing them to operate in opposite directions, the coiiiiectionscom rising two cooperating levers, separate fu crums for the levers, the `forward ends of the levers being .connected to the respective sickles.

5., A cutting mechanism for mowers and the like, comprising a sickle'bar, movable c members including two superimposed sickles and connections` between `the sickles, said connections causing the sickles to operate in opposite directions, the connections compris-V ing twocooperating levers extending rear-r wardly of the sickles, the forward ends `of respective sickles and a power` element connected to one nof the movable members at a imposed sickles,`connections between the sickles for causing them to` operate in oppos'te directions, the connections comprising two cooperating levers,one ofthe levers being pivotally connected to a sickle, the other lever having aL double abutment connection tothe other sickle.

' 7 A cutting mechanism for mowers and the like, comprising a sickle bar, two superimposed sickles, connections between the sickles for causing them to operate in opposite directions, the connections comprising two cooperating levers each having a fulvthe levers being directly connected to the c cruin, the two levers having a superimposed y relation and a pivotal connection therebe-V tween, tlie pivotal connection having its axis parallel to the axis of one of the fulcruins and lying between the two fulcrums.

8.1 A cutting mechanism for mowers and the like, comprising a sickle bar, two supervimposed sickles, connections between the.

sickles for causing them to operate inopposite directions, the connections comprising two cooperating levers each having a fulcrum, one of the levers being pivoted to the upper sickle at its forward end and having a sliding engagement with its fulcrum at its rearward end and a pivotal connection with the other lever at an intermediate point, the other lever being ot a voke shape and having its forward end connected to the lower sickle.

9. A cutting mechanism for mowers and the like. comprising av sickle bar, two superimposed siekles, connections between the sickles for causing them to operate in opposite directions, the connections comprising two cooperating levers, one ot' the levers being connected at its forward end to one ot' the sickles, the other lever being of a voke shape having one portion on one side ot' the sickle bar and in engagement with its sickle and the other portion on the opposite side in engagement with the other lever.

1t). A cutting mechanism for mowers and the like. comprising a sickle har, two superimposed sickles, connections between the sickles for causing them to operate in opposite directions, the connections comprising two cooperating levers, one ot the levers being connected at its forward end to the upper sickle. the other lever being ol a voke shape and having one part oi" the voke pivoted above the sickle bar and the other part pivoted below the sickle bar. the portion pivoted below the sickle bar being operatively connected to the lower sickle, the upper part of the voke having a pivotal connection with the other lever.

1l. A cutting mechanism for mowers and the like, comprising guard fingers, a sickle bar, two superimposed sickles, a driving means directly connected to one sickle` connections between the sickles for causing them to operate in opposite directions, the connections comprising two cooperating levers each having a fulcrum, the levers having their forward ends connected to the respective sicklcs, the arms and fulcrums of the having their forward ends connected to the respective sickles. one ol the levers being connected to the under sickle between two oiE the guard lingers.

13. A cutting mechanism for mowers and the like. comprising a sickle bar. guard tingers, means for securing the guard lingers to the sickle bar, two superimposed siekles, a driving means directly connected to one sickle, a voke having its ends held in place on the sickle bar bv the means for Securing two guard lingers to the sickle bar, a lever having a liulcrum on the voke and being pivotallv connected to one sickle, a second lever of U-shapc having a direct connection with the tirst named lever and a driving connection with the other sickle, the U-portion of the second lever receiving the sickle bar.

1l. A driving connection for double cutter mechanisms comprising a yoke member having means for securement to the sickle bar of a mowing machine. a lever having its t'ulcrum on the voke. and its forward end provided with means for operative connection to a sickle, a second lever having a pivotal connection with the first lever and a fulcrum 'forward of the pivotal connection, and having a forward end provided with means to make a driving connection with the other sickle` the pivotal connection ot the first lever being between its fulcrum and the connection for the first sickle.

In testimony whereof I hereunto atlix my signature.

FRANK SWICKARD. 

